First Take SA

The involvement of women in traditional male circumcision is back in the spotlight. The debate has been revived by a recently released book Zajik'izinto by author, Siphokazi Vannessa Mpofu. Mpofu believes the involvement of women in this rite of passage to manhood of Xhosa boys may save lives as some of the initiates die during this ritual. Every year, during the initiation season, the Eastern Cape province experiences death of initiaties.

A leaked audio recording has emerged of former President Jacob Zuma's meeting with the ANC's Top Six officials. In it Zuma accuses the party's top leadership of neglecting him and wanting to see him in jail. The meeting was called to discuss, among others, his refusal to appear before the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture. Zuma is also heard saying some of his comrades went to foreign countries to convince their leaders not support him financially in his impending corruption trial.

The State Capture Commission is expected to resume THIS MORNING despite the break-in at its offices in Parktown, Johannesburg over the weekend. Electroninc equipment including two laptops were stolen from different floors of the building. Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo is expected, later TODAY (monday), to hear parliamentary oversight related evidence from the Speaker of the National Assembly, Thandi Modise and National Council of Provinces Chairperson, Amos Masondo.

Ordinary Capetonians have taken it upon themselves to house some displaced students from the University of Cape Town. This as fire fighters battled raging fires which led to the evacuation of both the students and staff members from campus. A number of fire fighters are reported to have suffered burn wounds while battling the fires and had to be taken to hospital. Parts of the Rhodes Memorial were also destroyed in the blaze including the UCT library. The university's management says no student injuries have been reported as they were swiftly moved to predetermined safe locations. Residences and Housing Officer at the UCT's SRC, Ukhanyo Mdakane, has had to work throughout the night to help assist stranded students.

ANC Deputy Secretary General, Jessie Duarte, has urged the party's embattled Secretary General, Ace Magashule, to disassociate with people who want to sow divisions in the governing party. She was speaking in an exclusive interview with the SABC on a wide range of issues. These included the ANC-branded buses and taxis in support of Magashule and his leaked letters to provinces extending the scope of the NEC decision on the step-aside resolution to include party members who have been accused of corruption, but not charged.

The DA in Parliament wants the Standing Committee on Public Accounts to investigate the fact that about 35-percent of senior managers in government do not have the required qualifications for their jobs. The Minister of Public Service and Administration revealed these alarming figures in a written response to a parliamentary question posed by the DA. The official opposition says this situation is a result of cadre deployment that ultimately results in South Africans receiving poor service delivery.

Western Cape Transport Minister Bonginkosi Madikizela has been suspended from his position for two weeks pending an investigation. The Democratic Alliance's Federal Legal Commission is investigating allegations that the provincial party leader's CV claims a qualification that he does not hold. Madikizela has claimed to hold a Bachelor of Commerce Degree in Human Resource Management.

The EFF's Deputy President, Floyd Shivambu, has accused certain judges of belonging in the pockets of politicians. Shivambu was speaking outside the Hillbrow Police station after laying a criminal charge of corruption against Public Enterprises Minister, Pravin Gordhan. This follows comments by Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng during interviews with shortlisted candidates for judicial posts. Mogoeng said Gordhan had asked after the performance of his friend Judge Dhaya Pillay.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Major-General Thalita Mxakato as the Chief of Defence Intelligence. She is the first woman to hold the position in the SANDF. Major-Genera Mxakato joined the ANC's armed wing Umkhonto we Sizwe in 1983 and completed her basic training in Angola and in Germany. Annoucing Mxakato's appointment and other members of the Military Command of the SANDF, President Ramaphosa says Mxakato's ascendency to her new role is a testimony of the advancement of women in the armed forces.

Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize has told Parliament that Johnson and Johnson is refusing to sign off the supply of a further 20 million doses of the Covid -19 vaccine. The pharmaceutical giant first wants a letter from the Department of Trade and Industry endorsing the local investment it has made in Aspen. Mkhize says this is a surprise move as such support is already part of the agreement and has been publicly stated. He says this is only one of the many hurdles they have had to deal with as they try to secure vaccines for the country.